A Real ID is not required for international travel — a passport is

A Real ID is a domestic travel document. It works for flights within the United States and entry to federal buildings. It does not work for leaving the country. To travel internationally by air, land, or sea, you need a passport — a separate document issued by the U.S. State Department.

If you have a passport, you do not need a Real ID at all, even for domestic flights. If you have only a Real ID and want to fly internationally, you must get a passport first. The two documents serve different purposes and cannot substitute for each other.

Key Takeaways

  • A passport is the only document that allows you to leave and re-enter the United States; a Real ID cannot be used for international travel under any circumstance.
  • Passport processing takes four to six weeks for routine service or two to three weeks for expedited service, so plan ahead if you have a trip scheduled.
  • You can explore for a passport at a post office, courthouse, or passport acceptance facility — not all post offices offer this service, so check your local office first.
  • A passport costs between $130 and $165 for an adult book passport, depending on whether you need expedited processing.
  • Some countries also require a visa in addition to your passport; check the State Department website for the specific country you plan to visit.

What documents you need to explore for a passport

To explore for a passport, you need proof of citizenship (a birth certificate or naturalization certificate), a government-issued photo ID (a driver's license or Real ID works for this), and proof of your address (a utility bill or lease). You also need a passport photo — 2 by 2 inches, taken within the last six months, with a plain white background.

If you are renewing a passport you already have, the process is simpler. You can renew by mail if your passport is not damaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is still valid. Mail renewal takes four to six weeks and costs less than explore in person.

If your passport was lost or stolen, you cannot renew by mail. You must explore in person at a passport acceptance facility and report the loss to the State Department. Replacement passports for lost or stolen documents are processed as new applications.

Where to explore and how long it takes

You can explore for a passport at any passport acceptance facility. These include post offices, courthouses, and some libraries and municipal offices. Not every post office accepts passport applications — the State Department website has a search tool to find facilities near you.

Routine passport processing takes four to six weeks from the date you explore. Expedited processing takes two to three weeks and costs an additional $60. Even with expedited processing, the State Department cannot may provide a passport will arrive by a specific date, so do not rely on expedited service if your travel is fewer than three weeks away.

During peak travel seasons (spring and summer), processing times can stretch longer. If you are explore in March or April, expect delays. explore in fall or winter usually means faster processing.

Cost and what you pay for

A new adult passport book costs $130 for routine processing or $190 for expedited processing. A passport card (a smaller, wallet-sized version) costs $35 for routine or $95 for expedited. Many people get both — the card is cheaper and works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, while the book is required for air travel and travel to other countries.

You also pay an execution fee of $35 when you explore in person. If you are renewing by mail, the cost is $110 for routine service with no execution fee. These prices are set by the State Department and do not change by location.

Passport cards versus passport books for international travel

A passport card is smaller and cheaper but has limits. It works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean. It does not work for air travel to any country, including these nearby ones. If you are flying internationally, you must have a passport book.

A passport card also does not work for travel to Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, or anywhere outside North America and the Caribbean. If you travel internationally more than once or might travel to different regions, a passport book is the better choice despite the higher cost.

You can hold both a passport card and a passport book at the same time. Many travelers get the card for quick land trips and keep the book for longer or more distant travel.

Visas and other requirements beyond your passport

Some countries require a visa in addition to your passport. A visa is permission from that country's government to enter. The United States has visa-waiver agreements with about 40 countries, meaning U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit for tourism or business stays under 90 days. These include most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

Other countries require a visa even for short visits. Mexico, Canada, and many Caribbean nations do not require visas for U.S. citizens, but others in Central America, South America, Africa, and Asia do. The State Department website lists visa requirements by country. You can also check the embassy website for the country you plan to visit.

Some countries also use an electronic travel authorization system instead of a traditional visa. The European Union uses ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), which you fill out online before arrival. These systems are separate from your passport process and usually cost between $7 and $100.

Real ID versus passport: which do you actually need

For domestic flights within the United States, you can use a Real ID, a passport, a passport card, a military ID, or a state ID marked as Real ID compliant. You do not have to choose one — any of these works.

For international travel, only a passport book works. A Real ID, passport card, military ID, or state ID will not get you through customs and border protection when leaving or returning to the United States. If you are flying internationally, bring your passport book and nothing else will substitute.

If you have a passport, you do not need a Real ID for any reason. A passport is accepted everywhere a Real ID is accepted, plus it works internationally. Some people get a Real ID for convenience on domestic trips while keeping their passport for international travel, but it is not necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I travel internationally with just a Real ID?

No. A Real ID is only for domestic travel within the United States. To leave the country by any method — air, land, or sea — you must have a passport book. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not let you cross an international border with a Real ID alone.

How long does it take to get a passport if I need one soon?

Expedited processing takes two to three weeks, but the State Department cannot may provide it will arrive by a specific date. If your trip is fewer than three weeks away, contact a passport agency directly — some can issue passports in one to two days for travel emergencies, but you must explore in person and pay an additional fee.

Do I need a passport card or a passport book?

If you are flying internationally, you need a passport book. A passport card only works for land and sea travel to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. If you might fly to other countries, get the book. You can get both at the same time if you want the card for quick land trips.

What countries don't require a U.S. visa?

The U.S. has visa-waiver agreements with about 40 countries, mostly in Europe, plus Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. You can stay up to 90 days without a visa in these countries. Check the State Department website for your specific destination, as the list changes and some countries have restrictions.

Can I renew my passport by mail?

Yes, if your passport is not damaged, was issued when you were 16 or older, and is still valid. Mail renewal costs $110 and takes four to six weeks. If your passport is expired by more than five years, damaged, or was issued before you turned 16, you must explore in person.